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Chinook salmon Regulations in Oregon (2026)

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Recreational chinook salmon rules in Oregon saltwater, as published by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 6, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit
Minimum lengths: Chinook = 22” N. of Cape Falcon, and 24” S. of Cape…
Bag limit
Two salmon per day but no more than one Chinook.
Season
June 20 through August 24 t he earlier of September 30 and September…

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Recreational Chinook salmon rules in Oregon

Where
Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum lengths: Chinook = 22” N. of Cape Falcon, and 24” S. of Cape Falcon; coho = 16”; steelhead = 20”; and no min. length for pink, chum, or sockeye salmon in ocean fishery.
Bag limit
Two salmon per day but no more than one Chinook.
Season
June 20 through August 24 t he earlier of September 30 and September 4-8 or 51,450 fin-clipped coho subarea quota, with a 16,780 Chinook subarea guideline. Open seven days per week. Open for all salmon, All coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. Two salmon per day but no more than one Chinook. Possession of salmon onboard a vessel is prohibited in the area prior to June 20 when the subarea is closed to salmon retention. Closed within the Columbia Control Zone. August 13 onwards, that portion of the Columbia River subarea north of 46 0 15’ N to Leadbetter Point, and east of 124 0 08.667’ W is closed to fishing for salmon. August 18 onwards the retention and possession of Chinook salmon is prohibited in the ocean recreational fishery between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point. Notes: Posession of salmon on vessels in the Columbia River Ocean Salmon Management Sub-area is prohibited at any time when the season is closed within this area.

Official source

Where
Cape Falcon to OR/CA Border (spring/summer) (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum lengths: Chinook = 22” N. of Cape Falcon, and 24” S. of Cape Falcon; coho = 16”; steelhead = 20”; and no min. length for pink, chum, or sockeye salmon in ocean fishery.
Bag limit
Open for all salmon except coho, two salmon per day.
Season
March 15 - August 31 except as described below during the mark-selective coho season. Open seven days per week. Open for all salmon except coho, two salmon per day.

Official source

Where
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (fall) (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum lengths: Chinook = 22” N. of Cape Falcon, and 24” S. of Cape Falcon; coho = 16”; steelhead = 20”; and no min. length for pink, chum, or sockeye salmon in ocean fishery.
Bag limit
Open for all salmon except coho, two salmon per day.
Season
The earlier of September 1 through October 31, except as described below during the non-mark-selective coho season. Open for all salmon except coho, two salmon per day.

Official source

Where
Nehalem Bay (bays & inshore)
Bag limit
The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and
Possession
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained in aggregate for the period.
Season
In the Nehalem River up to Foss Rd (CC) Bridge (RM 15.1) and in the North Fork Nehalem River from the mouth to Hwy 53 bridge — Effective July 1 through November 30, 2026: The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained in aggregate for the period. | In the Nehalem River up to Foss Rd (CC) Bridge (RM 15.1) and in the North Fork Nehalem River from the mouth to Hwy 53 bridge — Effective December 1 through December 31: Angling for, and retention of, all Chinook salmon is closed.

Official source

Where
Tillamook Bay (bays & inshore)
Bag limit
The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
Possession
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Tillamook Bay from the tips of the jetties upstream to Hwy 101 bridges on Kilchis, Miami, Wilson, and Trask Rivers, and Burton Bridge on the Tillamook River, Tillamook River above Burton Bridge, Wilson River (Mainstem) from Hwy 101 bridge to Jordan Creek, Trask River (Mainstem) from Hwy 101 bridge to confluence of North and South Forks, Kilchis River from Hwy 101 bridge to Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge (RM 11), and Miami River above Hwy 101 bridge — Effective August 1 through November 30, 2026: The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate. | In the Tillamook Bay from the tips of the jetties upstream to Hwy 101 bridges on Kilchis, Miami, Wilson, and Trask Rivers, and Burton Bridge on the Tillamook River, Tillamook River above Burton Bridge, Wilson River (Mainstem) from Hwy 101 bridge to Jordan Creek, Trask River (Mainstem) from Hwy 101 bridge to confluence of North and South Forks, Kilchis River from Hwy 101 bridge to Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge (RM 11), and Miami River above Hwy 101 bridge — Effective December 1 through December 31, 2026: Angling for, and retention of all Chinook salmon is closed.

Official source

Where
Nestucca Bay (bays & inshore)
Bag limit
The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
Possession
No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Nestucca River and Bay up to First Bridge (near Beaver), the Little Nestucca River from Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph, and Three Rivers from the mouth to hatchery deadline and above the hatchery weir — Effective August 1 through November 30, 2026: The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Official source

Where
Siletz Bay (bays & inshore)
Possession
No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek — Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026: No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate. | In the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek — Effective August 1 though December 31, 2026: Chinook retention is allowed from the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek. | In the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek — Effective October 7 through December 31, 2026: Chinook retention is allowed from the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek.

Official source

Where
Yaquina Bay (bays & inshore)
Possession
No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Yaquina River and Bay from the visible ends of jetty tips to Simpson Creek and Big Elk Creek from the mouth to Bear Creek — Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026: No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Official source

Where
Alsea Bay (bays & inshore)
Possession
No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Alsea River (Mainstem) and Bay up to the USFS River Edge Boat Landing and Drift Creek (Alsea Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to lower Wilderness Boundary (RM 10) — Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026: No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Official source

Where
Siuslaw (bays & inshore)
Bag limit
The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
Possession
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Siuslaw River (Mainstem) and Bay up to Lake Creek, North Fork Siuslaw River from the mouth to Meadows Bridge at MP 11, and Sweet Creek from the mouth to head of tidewater — Effective August 1 through December 31: The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Official source

Where
Umpqua (bays & inshore)
Bag limit
The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
Possession
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Umpqua River (Mainstem) from the visible tips of the jetties to the North and South Umpqua confluence, Mainstem Smith River (Douglas Co.) from the mouth to Spencer Creek, and North Fork Smith River (Douglas Co.) from the mouth to Johnson Creek — Effective July 1 through November 30, 2026: The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Official source

Where
Coos Bay (bays & inshore)
Bag limit
The daily adult salmon bag limit is three fish in aggregate of which no more than two may be wild Chinook salmon.
Possession
No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Season
In the Coos River and Bay from the visible tips of jetties upstream to the head of tide or other landmarks including: Larson Slough upstream to Sullivan Cr; Palouse Cr to Elliot Forest Boundary; Catching Slough to Sumner Rd Bridge; Kentuck, North, Isthmus, Coalbank and Davis sloughs to their tidegates; Shinglehouse Slough; and Pony Slough to Newmark Ave, South Fork Coos River (Mouth to head of tide at Dellwood), and Millicoma River (Mainstem) in aggregate — Effective July 1 through December 31, 2026: No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate. | In the Coos River and Bay from the visible tips of jetties upstream to the head of tide or other landmarks including: Larson Slough upstream to Sullivan Cr; Palouse Cr to Elliot Forest Boundary; Catching Slough to Sumner Rd Bridge; Kentuck, North, Isthmus, Coalbank and Davis sloughs to their tidegates; Shinglehouse Slough; and Pony Slough to Newmark Ave, South Fork Coos River (Mouth to head of tide at Dellwood), and Millicoma River (Mainstem) in aggregate — October 19 through December 31, 2026: The daily adult salmon bag limit is three fish in aggregate of which no more than two may be wild Chinook salmon.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 5 commercial rules
Where
U.S./Canada Border to Cape Falcon (ocean)
Size limit
Chinook minimum size limit of 27 inches total length
Bag limit
Landing and possession limits in place for the following areas. Landing limits will be evaluated weekly, inseason. U.S./Canada border to Queets River - May 16-May 20, 50 Chinook per vessel per landing week. Beginning May 21, 80 Chinook per vessel per landing week. Queets River to Leadbetter Pt. - May 16-May 20, 60 Chinook per vessel per landing week. Beginning May 21, 250 Chinook per vessel per landing week. Leadbetter Pt. to Cape Falcon - May 16-May 20, 50 Chinook per vessel per landing week. Beginning May 21, 80 Chinook per vessel per landing week. Landing and possession limit of 50 marked coho per vessel per landing week (Thurs.-Wed.). Landing limits will be evaluated weekly, inseason (C.1, C.8.f).
Season
May 1-15. | May 16 through the earlier of June 29, or 37,300 Chinook. | July 1 through the earlier of September 30, or 18,700 Chinook or 19,600 marked coho (C.8).
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • •Ocean Troll Salmon Restricted Participation Permit Required in addition to a boat license for salmon trolling. No new permits are available.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • All salmon must be landed with the head on, except heads may be removed from salmon which are to be frozen and will remain frozen until landed and which do not have the adipose fin removed (coded-wire tagged fish).
  • Seasons are the PFMC council-adopted troll management measures; NMFS in-season actions (ODFW action notices) change landing limits and open/close periods - see overrides.

Official source

Where
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (ocean)
Size limit
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length
Bag limit
No more than 100 coho per vessel per landing week when retention allowed and no more than 100 Chinook allowed per vessel per landing week (Thurs.-Wed.).
Season
April 14-May 15. | September 1-October 31 (C.8, C.9.a).
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • •Ocean Troll Salmon Restricted Participation Permit Required in addition to a boat license for salmon trolling. No new permits are available.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • All salmon must be landed with the head on, except heads may be removed from salmon which are to be frozen and will remain frozen until landed and which do not have the adipose fin removed (coded-wire tagged fish).
  • Seasons are the PFMC council-adopted troll management measures; NMFS in-season actions (ODFW action notices) change landing limits and open/close periods - see overrides.

Official source

Where
Cape Falcon to Heceta Bank Line (ocean)
Size limit
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length
Season
May 16-June 30; | July 16-July 31.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • •Ocean Troll Salmon Restricted Participation Permit Required in addition to a boat license for salmon trolling. No new permits are available.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • All salmon must be landed with the head on, except heads may be removed from salmon which are to be frozen and will remain frozen until landed and which do not have the adipose fin removed (coded-wire tagged fish).
  • Seasons are the PFMC council-adopted troll management measures; NMFS in-season actions (ODFW action notices) change landing limits and open/close periods - see overrides.

Official source

Where
Heceta Bank Line to Humbug Mountain (ocean)
Size limit
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length
Season
May 16-June 30.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • •Ocean Troll Salmon Restricted Participation Permit Required in addition to a boat license for salmon trolling. No new permits are available.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • All salmon must be landed with the head on, except heads may be removed from salmon which are to be frozen and will remain frozen until landed and which do not have the adipose fin removed (coded-wire tagged fish).
  • Seasons are the PFMC council-adopted troll management measures; NMFS in-season actions (ODFW action notices) change landing limits and open/close periods - see overrides.

Official source

Where
Humbug Mountain to OR/CA Border (ocean)
Size limit
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length
Season
April 14-30. | May 16-June 17.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • •Ocean Troll Salmon Restricted Participation Permit Required in addition to a boat license for salmon trolling. No new permits are available.
  • Commercial troll gear only, which is defined as one or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel.
  • All salmon must be landed with the head on, except heads may be removed from salmon which are to be frozen and will remain frozen until landed and which do not have the adipose fin removed (coded-wire tagged fish).
  • Seasons are the PFMC council-adopted troll management measures; NMFS in-season actions (ODFW action notices) change landing limits and open/close periods - see overrides.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the chinook salmon size limit in Oregon?

Minimum lengths: Chinook = 22” N. of Cape Falcon, and 24” S. of Cape Falcon; coho = 16”; steelhead = 20”; and no min. length for pink, chum, or sockeye salmon in ocean fishery. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many chinook salmon can I keep in Oregon?

Two salmon per day but no more than one Chinook. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is chinook salmon season in Oregon?

June 20 through August 24 t he earlier of September 30 and September 4-8 or 51,450 fin-clipped coho subarea quota, with a 16,780 Chinook subarea guideline. Open seven days per week. Open for all salmon, All coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. Two salmon per day but no more than one Chinook. Possession of salmon onboard a vessel is prohibited in the area prior to June 20 when the subarea is closed to salmon retention. Closed within the Columbia Control Zone. August 13 onwards, that portion of the Columbia River subarea north of 46 0 15’ N to Leadbetter Point, and east of 124 0 08.667’ W is closed to fishing for salmon. August 18 onwards the retention and possession of Chinook salmon is prohibited in the ocean recreational fishery between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point. Notes: Posession of salmon on vessels in the Columbia River Ocean Salmon Management Sub-area is prohibited at any time when the season is closed within this area.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

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Source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a Oregon saltwater license or registry: get one here.